Chavez dares US to cut ties over envoy row

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dared the United States to "cut off diplomatic relations" over his opposition to US President Barack Obama's choice of a new ambassador."If the (US) government wants to expel our ambassador there, let them! If they cut off diplomatic relations, let them," Chavez said on state television.Last week Venezuela's foreign minister expressed hope that the two sides could resolve the row over diplomat Larry Palmer, who has been nominated by Obama but not yet confirmed by the US Senate.

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The army has been sent into lavatory paper factories, fights for basic foodstuffs have resulted in several deaths and new multi-million-dollar oil tankers sit idle in dock. Venezuela, despite sitting on the world’s largest oil reserves, cannot quite manage to keep the lights on.
Now many in the country are wondering how much longer President Nicolas Maduro, the anointed successor of Hugo Chavez, can keep hold of the reins of its crumbling socialist revolution.

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Nicolas Maduro announced Monday the expulsion of the top U.S. diplomat in Venezuela and two other embassy officials, alleging they conspired with “the extreme right” to sabotage the economy and power grid.
The U.S. Embassy rejected as unfounded the Venezuelan government’s accusations of “a great psychological operation” against it.
Maduro made the announcement during a live TV appearance and said Charge d’Affairs Kelly Keiderling and the two others had 48 hours to leave the country.

CARACAS, Venezuela — Even in death, Hugo Chavez’s orders are being followed. The man he anointed to succeed him, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, will continue to run Venezuela as interim president and be the governing socialists’ candidate in an election to be called within 30 days.
Foreign Minister Elias Jaua confirmed that Tuesday, just hours after Maduro, tears running down his face, announced the death of Chavez, the larger-than-life former paratroop officer who had presided over Venezuela as virtually a one-man show for more than 14 years.

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez is breathing with greater difficulty as a new and severe respiratory infection has taken hold, Venezuela’s government said, describing the cancer-stricken president’s condition as “very delicate.”
A brief statement read on national television by Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas late Monday carried the sobering news about the charismatic 58-year-old socialist leader’s deteriorating health.

In a scathing speech over the weekend, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered of asylum to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, joining Nicaragua on a list of countries ready to face the United States' wrath.

CARACAS — Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez slid into a coma the day before he died of respiratory failure after cancer spread into his lungs, sources say.
Chavez’s precise condition was one of the world’s best-kept secrets since his cancer was announced in June 2011.
Since his death this week, however, details have emerged of the 58-year-old president’s battle with cancer and the last moments in the hospital with close family and senior aides.

After 2 months without Chavez, Venezuela government voices optimism but some expect new vote CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Two months have passed since Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez climbed the stairs of the presidential jet, blew kisses to his supporters and flew to Cuba to undergo his fourth cancer-related surgery.